Rules on face coverings have been updated in England

New rules on the use of face-coverings have been set following the emergence of the Omicron variant in the UK. The guidance is described as being “Temporary and precautionary” by the Department of Health and Social Care. This guidance was updated on 10 December 2021, the public and staff in public-facing areas will be required to wear face coverings in these settings:

• shops and supermarkets (places which offer goods or services for retail sale or hire)
• shopping centres (malls and indoor markets)
• auction houses
• post offices, banks, building societies, high street solicitors and accountants, credit unions, short-term loan providers, savings clubs and money service businesses
• estate and letting agents
• premises providing personal care and beauty treatments (barbers, hair salons, tattoo and piercing studios, nail salons and massage centres)
• pharmacies
• premises providing veterinary services
• retail galleries
• retail travel agents
• takeaways without space for the consumption of food or drink on-premises
• auction houses
• post offices, banks, building societies, high street solicitors and accountants, credit unions, short-term loan providers, savings clubs and money service businesses
• estate and letting agents
• premises providing personal care and beauty treatments (hair salons, barbers, nail salons, massage centres, tattoo and piercing parlours)
• pharmacies
• premises providing veterinary services
• retail galleries
• retail travel agents
• public-facing funeral offices
• takeaways without space for the consumption of food or drink on-premises
• shopping centres (malls and indoor markets)
• community centres (including village halls), youth centres, members clubs and social clubs
• libraries and public reading rooms
• polling stations and premises used for the counting of votes
• places of worship
• crematoria and burial ground chapels
• visitor attractions and entertainment venues (museums, galleries, cinemas, indoor theatres, concert halls, cultural and heritage sites, indoor areas at aquariums, zoos and visitor farms, bingo halls, amusement arcades, adventure activity centres, indoor sports stadiums, funfairs, indoor theme parks, casinos, skating rinks, bowling alleys, indoor play areas including soft-play areas)
• public areas in hotels and hostels
• adult entertainment venues
• indoor areas of open-air sports stadiums
• public transport (aeroplanes, trains, trams, buses, coaches and ferries), taxis and private hire vehicles
• any car or small van during a professionally delivered driving lesson, a practical driving test, or during one of the practical tests for giving driving instruction, and in all HGV lessons and tests
• transport hubs (airports, rail and tram stations and terminals, maritime ports and terminals, bus and coach stations and terminals)
• motorway service areas

Pubs, Cafés and Restaurants

This guidance does not specifically itemise pubs and restaurants however these are public-facing areas and whilst not legally required the advice states that “you should still continue to wear a face-covering in crowded and enclosed spaces“.  These rules apply to England Only.

The Government guidance states;

“In England, face coverings are now required by law in most indoor public places and on public transport, including taxis – see the ‘When to wear a face covering’ section below.”

“Face coverings are not required in hospitality venues where food and drink are consumed (such as pubs, cafés and restaurants), or during exercise (such as gyms), including dancing (such as nightclubs).”

“Where a premises or part of a premises is being used for an event where the main activities include eating, drinking and dancing, face coverings are not required. Face coverings must be worn in communal areas of the premises not being used for the event, such as in a hotel lobby when an event is taking place in a conference room.”

“In indoor settings where a face covering is not legally required, you should still continue to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where you may come into contact with other people you do not normally meet.”

For full guidance, please visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own

More information on face coverings

For more inform nation regarding the reasons for using face coverings, please see https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own.

This article was first published on 30 November 2021 and was last updated on 10/12/2021.